AGRICULTURAL damage and losses caused by Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) have climbed to P135.3 million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The weather disturbances affected 6,010 farmers and damaged 4,516 hectares of farmland in the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas.
Production losses were estimated at 4,465 metric tons, covering rice, corn, high-value crops and livestock.
Agricultural infrastructure, machinery and equipment also sustained damage, the DA said.
The damage estimate could still increase as field assessment and validation continue in affected areas.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered DA units to expedite assistance to farmers, particularly the processing of insurance claims and access to credit.
‘We need our people on the ground to move quickly so affected farmers can get the assistance they need, especially insurance claims and credit support,’ Tiu Laurel said.
‘The faster we process these, the faster farmers can recover and get back to production,’ he added.
The DA has prepared P106.5 million worth of agricultural inputs, including rice, corn and vegetable seeds, for distribution through its regional field offices.
Affected farmers may also avail themselves of loans of up to P25,000 under the Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Survival and Recovery Loan Program, payable over three years at zero interest.
Insured farmers, meanwhile, may receive indemnification from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., while the DA coordinates funding for insurance and credit assistance.
DA regional offices are also coordinating with local government units, disaster risk reduction councils and other agencies while monitoring agricultural prices and the movement of commodities in affected areas.